Financial and operations executives representing foundations from across the country were challenged to “think differently” and plan for the future at CliftonLarsonAllen’s inaugural National Foundation Conference February 4 – 6 in Las Vegas. Three days of interactive discussions were highlighted by sessions on mission investing, tax considerations for grantmaking, risk management, IT security, and other financial and operations topics.

“The topics we covered challenged our attendees to go back to their foundations and think about things a little differently,” said CliftonLarsonAllen partner Jen Foley, who heads up the firm’s foundation practice group. “We heard from foundation finance executives that no other conference focused on the issues critical to their success, and our goal was to build something to address those needs. Attendees gained a lot of valuable and practical insight, which they now feel can be integrated into their operations as they seek to become even higher-performing foundations.”

Dr. Lester Salamon, the head of Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Civil Society Studies, delivered the keynote address. Peer-to-peer networking opportunities over the three-day event were also a big draw for attendees representing a wide range of organizations from global entities to community foundations.

“It was great to learn from other foundation executives who share the same challenges, and who have similar opportunities,” said Jack Ochoa, chairman of the board of the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College Foundation. “Now I feel like I have a network that I can easily tap into to get feedback from, and that’s invaluable.”

Based on the positive feedback received, expectations are that the event will continue to grow in the future. A site for the 2014 conference, planned for next February, will be announced soon.

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